Announcing a deal that will further sharpen the fierce competition in the hotel industry, the seemingly insatiable Blackstone Group is set to acquire Hilton Hotels Corp. for more than $26 billion.
"Like Blackstone's blockbuster Equity Office Properties acquisition earlier this year, this transaction will have profound repercussions on the sector it is tied to. But unlike that earlier deal, which seems to have prefigured a turning point in the fortunes of real estate stocks, this acquisition could mark another step in the still unfolding growth cycle of the hospitality industry..."
Thanks to Peter Slatin
FULL STORY: Hilton Gets Hot

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

Renters Now Outnumber Homeowners in Over 200 US Suburbs
High housing costs in city centers and the new-found flexibility offered by remote work are pushing more renters to suburban areas.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

Supreme Court Ruling in Pipeline Case Guts Federal Environmental Law
The decision limits the scope of a federal law that mandates extensive environmental impact reviews of energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects.
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